Spray device storage apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus comprised of an upper and lower housing member, a handle, insert support members containing compartments for the insertion of a spray device and spray device accessories such as spray device tips and filters, and also having an aperture for a hose so that a spray device may be stored without disconnecting the hose.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of spray devices and, morespecifically, to storage apparatus for a spray device and parts of aspray device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of one embodiment of a spraydevice storage apparatus in the closed position.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the embodiment of the spray device storageapparatus shown in FIG. 1 in the open position.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of the spray device storageapparatus shown in FIG. 1 in which a closure mechanism can be seen

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the embodiment of the spray device storageapparatus shown in FIG. 1 in which a hinge can be seen.

FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the embodiment of the spray device storageapparatus shown in FIG. 1 in which a hose aperture can be seen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many types of liquid and liquid based substances, such as paint,insecticides, disinfectants and food products, are dispensed by spraydevices. Such substances are oftentimes dispensed by a hose, tube orsimilar structure. A spray device may be used with accessories such asspraying or dispensing tips, filters or other components. When not inuse, spraying devices require storage. Various systems and apparatusesfor storing spray devices may increase the convenience and functionalityof the spray devices and the retrieval of accessories used in connectionwith the spray devices.

As used herein, a “spray device” refers to any device that attaches to ahose and is capable of being used to dispense or spray a substantiallyliquid substance, viscous substance, slurry, paste or substancesuspended in liquid. Examples for which the device can be used includethe Graco contractor, Graco contractor 2, Wagner GXO7, and Spraytech2finger G10XL.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the present invention,references are made in the text hereof to one exemplary embodiment of aspray device storage apparatus, one of which is depicted in the figures.It should nevertheless be understood that no limitations on the scope ofthe invention are thereby intended. One of ordinary skill in the artwill readily appreciate that modifications such as those involving thenumber of components, positioning of the components relative to oneanother, materials from which the components are made, the size of thecomponents, and the inclusion of additional elements do not depart fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention. Some of these possiblemodifications are mentioned in the following description. In addition,in the embodiments depicted herein, like reference numerals refer toidentical structural elements in the various drawings. Therefore,specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting,but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis forteaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention invirtually any appropriately detailed system, structure, or manner.

Moreover, the term “substantially” or “approximately” as used herein maybe applied to modify any quantitative representation that couldpermissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function towhich it is related.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view ofone embodiment of spray device storage apparatus 50 having a firsthousing member 100 and second housing member 104. First housing member100 and second housing member 104 are substantially rectangular shapedand include side surfaces 102, top surfaces 108 and 109, and bottomsurfaces (not visible from this perspective) such that first housingmember 100 and second housing member 104, when opposing each other, arecapable or containing or enclosing objects.

Positioned on top surface of first housing member 100 and second housingmember 104 is handle formation 103. In the embodiment shown, handleformation 103 is a curved, generally semi-circular structure, with halfof handle formation 103 being positioned on top surfaces 108 of firsthousing member 100 and half of handle formation 103 being positioned ontop surface 109 of second housing member 104. In an alternateembodiment, handle formation 103 is positioned only on one of firsthousing member 100 (as can be seen in FIG. 3, discussed in greaterdetail infra) or only on second housing member 104. It should also beunderstood that, in alternate embodiments of spray device containerapparatus 50, handle structure 103 may be rectangular shaped, triangularshaped, consist of a flexible strap, connected on both ends to topsurface 108 and/or 109 or of any other configuration or shape capable offunctioning as a handle or allowing spray device container apparatus 50to be gripped or hung. The embodiment shown is particularly useful foreasily hanging spray device container apparatus 50. In alternateembodiments, handle formation 103 may be located on another portion ofspray device storage apparatus 50 capable of allowing a user to hang orhold spray device storage apparatus 50.

One side surface 102 of first housing member 100 and one side surface102 of second housing member 104 are joined by two (2) pivotal members101 to form a hollow container or chamber. In the embodiment shown,pivotal members 101 are each a hinge. One of ordinary skill in the artshould understand that an alternate number of pivotal members 101 couldbe used, including zero (0). In alternate embodiments of spray devicecontainer apparatus 50, pivotal members 101 include pins, screws,straps, bearings, rubber, wood, metal or molded plastic insertionsanything commonly used in the art including combinations thereof.

Also visible in FIG. 1 is closure member 105 which may be used tosecured shut first housing member 100 with second housing member 104. Asused herein, “closure member” is any device, structure or configurationwhich permits upper housing member and lower housing member to form andenclosed hollow structure. In the embodiment shown, closure member 105is two (2) molded plastic locking members but could alternately besnaps, pins, screws, hinges, straps buckles, interlocking molded metal,rubber, wood, plastic or anything commonly used in the art includingcombinations thereof.

In the embodiment shown, first housing member 100 and second housingmember 104 are each formed of a single plastic molded piece. However, inother embodiments, first housing member 100 and second housing member104 may be constructed from multiple parts and may be made of metal,wood. rubber, stainless steel, wood, Plexiglas, glass, resin, leather orany other natural or man-made material capable of being adapted to formhousing members 100 and 104, including combinations thereof. In theembodiment shown, first housing member 100 is pivotally attached tosecond housing member 104 using pivotal members 103. In the embodimentshown, the pivotal members are hinges formed from the molded plastic.However, other embodiments may not contain pivotal members or which areattached separately to upper housing member 100 and lower housing member104, or which consists of alternate structures such as pins, screws,straps, interlocking members or structures capable of achieving the samefunctional result of facilitating the joining and movement of one upperhousing member 100 and lower housing member 104. In the embodimentshown, closure member 105 secures upper housing member 100 to lowerhousing member 104 in a closed position.

In the embodiment shown closure member 105 is created from moldedplastic sections of upper housing member 100 and lower housing member104 which protrude and fit together in such a manner as to permitclosure member 105 to slide over them and secure upper housing member100 and lower housing member 104 together in a closed position. Otherembodiments may not include a closure member or may contain a closuremember formed from alternative items as snaps, pins interlocking piecesor may be constructed by molding or shaping upper housing member 100 andlower housing member 104 to permit the interlocking of upper housingmember 100 and lower housing member 104 without the use of closuremember 105.

Hose aperture 107 permits spray hose or cord to protrude when spraydevice storage apparatus 50 is in a closed position so that the hose orcord does not have to be disconnected from the spray device. As usedherein “closed position” means a position where first housing member 100is in contact with second housing member 104 so that any items heldwithin either first housing member 100 or second housing member 104 areenclosed within the chamber formed by first housing member 100 andsecond housing member 104.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the embodiment of spray device storageapparatus 50 shown in FIG. 1 in the open position. Both first housingmember 100 and second housing member 104 can be appreciated. Firstinsert member 201 is positioned on first housing member 100 and secondinsert member 202 is contained in second housing member 104. In theembodiment shown, first insert member 201 and second insert member 202include a plurality of compartments 203 in various shapes, sizes anddepths for storing objects such as spray devices, tips for spraydevices, filters for spray devices, and other parts or tools.Compartments 203 may be in any shape or size, to enable storage of spraydevices and spray device component parts such as spray device tips,filters, covers, nozzles, handles, measuring tools, scraping or cleaningitems, decorating devices, food processing devices, devices fordispensing repair materials such as caulk, stenciling items or any otherdevices or implements using in connection with spraying or dispensing asubstantial liquid substance from a devices. Similarly, in alternateembodiments first insert member 201 and second insert member 202 may bestructurally integrated with first housing member 100 and second housingmember 104 or may contain more fewer or no compartments but accomplishthe same functional result. In the embodiment shown, spray devicecompartment 204 permits storage of a spray device, spray tipcompartments 205 permit storage of spray tips and filter compartment 206permit storage of filters.

In the embodiment shown, first support structure 201 and second supportstructure 202 are made from synthetic foam material affixed to insidesurface 207 of first housing member 100 and inside surface 208 of secondhousing member 104 using an adhesive substance. However, otherembodiments may not include upper support structure 201 and lowersupport structure 202 or upper support structure 201 and lower supportstructure 202 may be constructed from plastic, paper, foam, metal, wood,rubber, stainless steel, Plexiglas, rubber cloth or any other natural orman-made material capable of operating as a support structure and inwhich from which compartments 203 are capable of being formed. As usedherein the term “support structure” means an element capable ofsupporting objects so as to restrict their movement within upper housingmember 100 and lower housing member 104. Compartments may be of varyingtypes, and used for specific functions. For example, as used herein, an“accessory compartment” is used to hold an accessory; a “spray devicecompartment” is used to hold a spray device and a “filter compartment”is used to hold a filter.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of spray device storageapparatus 50 shown in FIG. 1 in which closure member 105 can be viewed.In the embodiment shown, handle formation 103 is a semicircularprotrusion which operates as a handle which may gripped by the humanhand, or which hung on railing or vehicle such as a spray machine cart,boom lift, scissor lift or any other structure from which it isdesirable to hang spray device storage apparatus 50. In the embodimentshown, a spray device, spare filters and multiple storage tips have beenstored with the a hose protruding from hose aperture 107 so that storageof the spray device has been accomplished without disconnecting thespray device from the spray pump machine and the spray device may, butis not required to be, protected from impact, rust or other events whichmay cause damage or aging to the spray device.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the embodiment of spray device storageapparatus 50 shown in FIG. 1 in which hinge 101 can be seen. In theembodiment shown, the pivotal members are hinges formed from moldedplastic. However, in other embodiments, the pivotal members may bemetal, rubber, wood, resin, plastic, cloth, leather, or any othersubstance capable of forming structural components which allow thecoupling and separation of upper housing member 100 and lower housingmember 104.

FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the embodiment of spray device storageapparatus 50 shown in FIG. 1 in which hose aperture 107 can be seen.Hose aperture 107 allows a spray device to be stored withoutdisconnecting a hose or tube. In the embodiment shown, hose aperture 107is formed from molded plastic, and the edges of the compartment arecoated with or a fitted ring is inserted. Other embodiments may have acoating or around the compartment of a different substance or may haveno coating. The compartment in the embodiment shown is located in theapproximate center of spray devices storage apparatus 50 and is formedas a result of the molded shape of both first housing member 100 andsecond housing member 104. However, in other embodiments, hose aperture107 may be located in a different position, or may be formed by themolding of only one housing member, or may be drilled, cut or createdusing any method taking into account the specific materials andprocesses used in constructing first housing member 100 an secondhousing member 104.

While spray device storage apparatus 50 has been shown and describedwith respect to several embodiments, it is to be understood that thesame is not limited thereto, but is susceptible to numerous changes andmodifications as known to a person skilled in the art, and it isintended that the present invention not be limited to the details shownand described herein, but rather cover all such changes andmodifications obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art.

1. An apparatus comprised of: a first housing member, said first housingmember having a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one sidesurface; a second housing member, said second housing member having atop surface, a bottom surface, and at least one side surface; a pivotalmember, said pivotal member secured to said side surface of said firsthousing member and to said side surface of said second housing memberand allowing said first housing member to pivot between an open positionand a closed position; a closure member, said closure member securingsaid first housing member to said second housing member in said closedposition; a first insert member positioned within said first housingmember, and a second insert member positioned within said second housingmember, at least one of said first insert member and second insertmember including at least one compartment adapted for holding one ormore spray devices.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprised of ahose aperture, said hose aperture adapted to allow said apparatus to bein said closed position without a hose being disconnected from said oneor more spray devices.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidapparatus is further comprised of a handle formation affixed to saidfirst housing member.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidapparatus is further comprised of a handle formation, said handleformation having a first half and a second half, said first half affixedto said first housing member and said second half affixed to secondhousing member, said first half and said second half mating when saidapparatus is in said closed position.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein at least one of said first insert member and said second insertmember are comprised of at least compartment adapted to receive andsupport at least one accessory selected from a group comprised of aspray tip and a filter.
 6. An apparatus comprised of: a first housingmember, said first housing member having a top surface, a bottomsurface, and at least one side surface; a second housing member, saidsecond housing member having a top surface, a bottom surface, and atleast one side surface; a pivotal member, said pivotal member secured tosaid side surface of said first housing member and to said side surfaceof said second housing member and allowing said first housing member topivot between an open position and a closed position; a closure member,said closure member securing said first housing member to said secondhousing member in said closed position; a first insert member positionedwithin said first housing member; a second insert member positionedwithin said second housing member, at least one of said first insertmember and second insert member including at least one compartmentadapted for holding one or more spray devices; and a hose aperture, saidhose aperture adapted to allow said apparatus to be in said closedposition without a hose being disconnected from said one or more spraydevices.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said apparatus is furthercomprised of a handle formation affixed to said first housing member. 8.The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said apparatus is further comprised ofa handle formation, said handle formation having a first half and asecond half, said first half affixed to said first housing member andsaid second half affixed to second housing member, said first half andsaid second half mating when said apparatus is in said closed position.9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first insertmember and said second insert member are comprised of at least onefilter tip compartment adapted for insertion of at least one filter tip.10. An apparatus adapted to hold a spray gun comprised of: a firsthousing member, said first housing member having a top surface, a bottomsurface, and at least one side surface; a second housing member, saidsecond housing member having a top surface, a bottom surface, and atleast one side surface; a pivotal member, said pivotal member secured tosaid side surface of said first housing member and to said side surfaceof said second housing member and allowing said first housing member topivot between an open position and a closed position; a closure member,said closure member securing said first housing member to said secondhousing member in said closed position; a first insert member positionedwithin said first housing member; a second insert member positionedwithin said second housing member, at least one of said first insertmember and second insert member including at least one compartmentadapted to hold said spray gun; a handle formation affixed to said firsthousing member; and a hose aperture, said hose aperture adapted to allowsaid apparatus to be in said closed position without a hose beingdisconnected from said one or more spray devices
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein at least one of said first insert member and saidsecond insert member are comprised of at least one filter tipcompartment adapted for insertion of at least one filter tip.